Society News

Srinagar, July 28 (ANI): As the countdown to Eid-ul-Fitr begins, the activities that have contributed to the merry hustle and bustle associated with it gains momentum across Kashmir. Shoppers galore flock at decked up markets to usher in the much-awaited festival. Shoppers in the summer capital of Srinagar thronged decorated markets to do their last minute Eid shopping. Beelines outside confectionary and bakery shops to buy their favourite items were seen across the city. Eid ul-Fitr is also know as "the feast of breaking the fast" and occurs with the sighting of the new moon. Rushing through his Eid shopping in a market in Srinagar, a customer, Peroz Ahmad, said Eid is a big day for everyone and brings joy to every household. It is customary for Muslims to buy new clothes and accessories for the festive occasion.Jul 28, 2014

New Delhi, July 28 (ANI): UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) aspirants met, Vice President of Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday to seek a solution over the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) issue. Aspirants have demanded the scrapping of the current format of the Civil Services Aptitude Test, calling it discriminatory against those with a limited knowledge of the English language. National general secretary of the student wing of Congress party -National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Mohit Sharma, said that they asked Gandhi to champion their cause. The candidates have requested the Congress leader to raise the matter in Parliament.Jul 28, 2014

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah participated in prayers marking Eid al-Fitr in Ramallah on Monday later placing flowers in memory of victims of the conflict in the Gaza Strip at the memorial for martyrs in the West Bank. Duration: 01:10Jul 28, 2014

Panaji, July 28 (ANI): Goa's Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza apologized on Monday for his remark that PM Narendra Modi will develop India into a Hindu nation. He said that Hindu is a culture and he did not prefer to it as a religion. Further, he said that if the remark had hurt sentiments of anybody, he apologise for the same.Jul 28, 2014

New Delhi, July 28 (ANI): Former Ambassador of Pakistan to US Husain Haqqani on Monday said that Pakistan should declare Hafiz Saeed and others of the group as terrorist, like international community who have already declared the same. He said that Pakistan should not think that they will be beneficial for the country in any way and that Punjab and the Pak central government should understand this.Jul 28, 2014

Muslims around the world mark the start of Eid al-Fitr. Afghans pray at the Shah-e Do Shamshira mosque in Kabul while Palestinians celebrate in Jerusalem under the watchful eye of security forces. Duration: 00:49Jul 28, 2014

The UN Security Council Monday joined US President Barack Obama in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, after Israel and Hamas ignored calls for a truce despite mounting civilian casualties. Duration: 00:33Jul 28, 2014

Decked out with Baccarat crystal chandeliers, Carara marble and Gobelin tapestries, Paris' palace hotels have a tradition of "art de vivre" -- and have long been dominated by men. Duration: 02:11Jul 28, 2014

Gorakhpur, June 28 (ANI): India is a land of festivities, and every occasion symbolizes the brilliance of communal peace among the people across the nation. One such occasion where the ethos is visible is during Kanwar Yatra, a pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva, where the devotees known as Kanwarias fetch holy water from Ganges River to offer it to Lord Shiva. During this occasion, Muslims of Gorakhpur from northern state of Uttar Pradesh, make apparels and accessories for their Hindu brothers who participate in this Yatra. Once the garments are ready they are sold in the market.Jul 28, 2014

Midnapur, June 28 (ANI): Throughout India many people cross religious and communal lines to promote peace and harmony within their communities. One such individual is Chamat Kumar Setua, a Hindu caretaker of a Sufi saint, Chandsa Baba's shrine. Starting out as a businessman and disciple of Chandsa Baba, Chamat Kumar Setua built the shrine himself in honor of the saint after Chandsa Baba's death in 1980. He has spent the last 34 years maintaining the premises of the shrine single-handedly, and promoting peace and harmony among Hindus and Muslims in the region. Chamat Kumar Setua's undying devotion to Chandsa Baba's legacy has made him and the shrine a symbol of communal harmony across the region.Jul 28, 2014

Ujjain/ Varanasi, June 28 (ANI): Thousands of devout Hindus thronged Lord Shiva temples across India to offer special prayers in celebration of the auspicious third Monday of the month- long 'Sawan '(Monsoon) festival. Devotees gathered in large numbers on Monday to offer milk, curd, honey and holy water to Lord Shiva in the wee hours of the morning. Long queues of people waiting with an assortment of religious offerings like joss sticks, red vermilion and flowers were seen outside the temples. A priest in the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple of ancient Ujjain city in Madhya Pradesh, Anup Yadav, said that the third Monday of the month holds a special importance in the Hindu lunar calendar. Kanwarias (devotees of Lord Shiva) undertake a tedious foot journey to the Hindu pilgrim centres of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch the holy waters of river Ganges for their village temples.Jul 28, 2014

New Delhi, July 28 (ANI): Daniel Radcliffe recently revealed at his Comic-Con appearance that he seeks out sensible stage and films in order to send a message to people that he wants to challenge himself as an actor. He said, while promoting his dark horror movie 'Horns' at the event, that he wanted to last as an actor, which's why he was determined to prove that he has a career after Harry Potter, an online portal reported.Jul 28, 2014

Lucknow, July 28 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh government on Monday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the Mohanlalganj sexual assault and murder case. The UP government's recommendation came after the victim's family members went on a hunger strike in Lucknow, demanding a CBI probe in the case.Jul 28, 2014

Mirpur/ Azad Kashmir, July 28: It's been five decades now, the people of Mirpur District in Azad Kashmir continue to remain victims of the Mangla Dam. The multipurpose dam constructed on the Jhelum River at a cost of 1.47 billion USD, generates electricity and provides water for irrigation to Pakistan's rich landlords and industrialists. However, thousands of people from Mirpur who were displaced are living a miserable life. Experts blame Pakistan for vehemently exploiting the resources of Azad Kashmir. In 2009, Pakistan raised the height of Mangla Dam from 1210 feet to 1270 feet increasing the maximum water conservation level from 1202 feet to 1242 feet.Jul 28, 2014